Microlucida®

Create 2D and 3D whole-slide images on your brightfield or fluorescence microscope
MBF Bioscience > Microlucida®

Product Overview

Microlucida gives you the power to capture 2D and 3D whole slide images at your brightfield or fluorescence microscope. It allows you to easily generate high quality whole slide images and image stacks. It also enables you to use a single high-quality image acquisition application across all of your microscopes, a feature particularly beneficial for core facilities.

Key Benefits

Microlucida is designed to operate on a wide variety of microscopes and hardware commonly used in laboratories. This versatility allows customization of your research system to fit your exact needs and budget. It's simple-to-use user interface also allows a new user to begin capturing high magnification whole slide images easy within minutes. 

We work closely with you to choose the best hardware for each new system, ensuring optimal performance to help you achieve your research goals within your budget.  We sell all necessary hardware equipment, or you might be able to use your own microscope equipment, since our software can integrate with most existing microscopes. 

Minimum System Requirements

Operating System

Windows 10, 64-bit

Processor

4-core

CPU RAM

16 GB

GPU RAM

>6 GB

Recommended System Requirements

Operating System

Windows 11, 64-bit

Processor

8-core

CPU RAM

64 GB

GPU RAM

>8 GB

Storage

Solid state drive(s)

File Input Options

Supported image file formats

CZI, HDF5, H5, IMS, JP2, JPG, JPEG, JPF, MJC, JPX, LIF, LSM, ND2, OIB, OIF, TIF, TIFF, SVS

Output Specifications

Data output formats

XML*, ASC, DAT

 

* Our XML data file format, the Neuromorphological File Specification (NFS), is endorsed as a standard by the INCF.

Image file output formats

JP2, JPX, TIFF, SVG

Movie export format

MP4

Hardware Compatibility  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer controlled microscopes

Leica supported microscopes:

  • DM6B
  • DM4
  • DM 3000
  • DM 4000
  • DM 4500
  • DM 5000
  • DM 5500
  • DM 6000
  • DM 6000-FS
  • DM 8000M
  • DM12000M
  • DM4
  • DM6
  • DMI4000
  • DMI 5000
  • DMI 6000
  • DMI8

 

 

Zeiss supported microscopes:

  • AxioImager 1 and 2 series
  • Vario
  • AxioVert 200M
  • Zeiss Axioplan/phot 2(i)(ie)

 

Nikon supported microscopes:

  • 90i/80i
  • TE2000
  • Ti
  • Ni-U
  • Ni-E
  • Ci-E

 

Olympus BX and IX Series:

  • BX63
  • BX53
  • IX83
  • IX2/BX2 UCB control boxes

Manual microscopes 

Most models after 2002 of Zeiss, Olympus, Nikon, Leica

 

Structured illumination

  • Zeiss Apotome I, II, III
  • Olympus DSU
  • CarvII
  • Optigrid

Filter wheels and shutters 

Zeiss, Olympus, Leica, Nikon, LEP, Prior, Sutter

 

 

 

Color video cameras

  • Qimaging Retiga 2000R
  • Lumenera Lumen HR
  • Optronics Microfire
  • Zeiss Axiocam MRc, 305, 506, 512, 705, 712
  • DVC 2000C
  • Leica DFC
  • Basler

 

 

Monochrome video cameras

  • Hamamatsu
  • Zeiss Axiocam MRm, 305, 506, 512, 702, 705, 712
  • Leica DFC
  • Cooke Sensicam QE, EM
  • Cooke PCO

Light sources

  • Lumencore Sola
  • X-Cite 120PC, 120LED, Exacte, XYLIS, XLED1, TURBO, NOVEM

 

Hardware options

Digital Cameras

We sell the digital cameras from world leading manufacturers of scientific grade. We help you choose the model that is most effective for your use–from real-time color cameras for brightfield microscopy to state-of-the-art cooled, high sensitivity cameras for dim fluorescence microscopy. We can also configure systems with dual cameras to optimally support the widest range of specimens – from brightfield microscopy through structured illumination fluorescence microscopy.

Motorized Stages

Microlucida is most productive and efficient with a three-axis motor driven microscope stage that we can provide. The software automatically maintains the registration of the graphics overlay with the microscope image when the stage is moved, allowing for integration of multiple fields of view. This feature ensures the fastest and most accurate data acquisition from objects larger than a single field of view.

Specialized Microscope Hardware: motorized external filter wheels, shutters and illumination devices

When working with multi-channel fluorescence microscopy, we automate many of the functions of a microscope to dramatically reduce the amount of work that you need to do, such as changing fluorescence filters and opening and closing the shutter. We can add automatic, motorized devices to most existing manual microscopes.

Supported Image File Formats: PDF

Microlucida® Version 2020.2.1
Released September 2020

New Features and Enhancements:

 

  • Basler cameras are now supported
  • Checkbox to “User local help system” added to Preferences
  • PC serial nuber is now available in the About menu

 

View Full Version History Here.

Cited in Peer Reviewed Scientific Publications

MBF’s software utility is underscored by the number of references it receives in the worlds most important scientific publications.

Who Is Using Microlucida?

Microlucida is used across the globe by the most prestigious laboratories. 

Testimonials

Robust Professional Support

Our service sets us apart, with a team that includes Ph.D. neuroscientists, experts in microscopy, stereology, neuron reconstruction, and image processing.  We’ve also developed a host of additional support services, including:

  • Forums
    We have over 25 active forums where open discussions take place.
    >> Learn More
  • On-Site/Training
    We’ve conducted over 750 remote software installations.
    >> Learn More
  • Webinars
    We’ve created over 55 webinars that demonstrate our products & their uses.
    >> Learn More

Request an Expert Demonstration

We offer a free expert demonstration of Microlucida. During your demonstration you’ll also have the opportunity to talk to us about your hardware, software, or experimental design questions with our team of Ph.D. neuroscientists and experts in microscopy, neuron tracing, and image processing.

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